E-DRUG: Mail-order drug delivery (cont'd)

[Joel Lexchin <joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca>]

E-drug: Mail-order drug delivery (cont'd)
---------------------------------------------

For those interested in an assessment of the pros and cons of the
American system of mail order drug delivery I would suggest the
following reference:

  Kirking DM, Ascione FJ, Richards JW (1990). Choices in
  prescription-drug benefit programs: mail versus community pharmacy
  services. Milbank Quarterly 68:29-51.

Among other things this article points out that this system dispense
drugs in larger volumes which results in more wastage and this
wastage may offset any savings gained through the lower dispensing
fees. Research is also lacking in areas such as patient satisfaction and
indicators of quality of care.

Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M5R 2X8
Phone: (416)-964-7186
Fax: (416)-923-9515
e mail: joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to:  `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.